Our Commitment to Craftsmanship & Keeping Our Word

There are moments when building a business forces you to slow down and take stock of what actually

Watching my daughters during the holidays—while so many people are stressed, struggling, or uncertain—was one of those moments for me. It reminded me that what lasts isn’t success or failure, profit or loss, or even the things we buy. It’s presence. It’s character. It’s how we show up when things get hard.

That reflection is what led me to write this.

 

How This Started

 

When I started this business, I had no idea what it would eventually become.

In the beginning, our kiln could fit just six 12-inch porcelain signs at a time. Each sign required multiple firings over several days before the vintage finish was even added. I remember sitting down and doing the math—figuring out how many small signs I’d have to sell just to cover a week of everyday expenses for my family.

The number was terrifying.

But after months of failed prototypes, experimenting with different metals, refining temperatures, and pushing through more setbacks than I can count, we finally got it right. And when we did, I fell in love with the result.

For the first time, I felt like we had created something that truly honored the original porcelain signs I’d grown up around as an auctioneer—real materials, real weight, real craftsmanship. No shortcuts. No printed aluminum. No gimmicks.

I figured maybe a handful of people—collectors as fed up as I was with overpriced originals and cheap reproductions—might appreciate it.

I never expected the demand that followed.

 

 

 

Growth, Pressure, and Responsibility

This past year, I personally packed and shipped over 5,000 orders. Every dollar we made—and everything I had from my auction business—went directly back into better equipment, better materials, and better processes.

 

I worked before sunrise and long after dark, every day, investing everything back into the business.

This isn’t new to me.

I watched my father do the same thing more than 35 years ago, building a manufacturing business from the ground up. Establishing his business as the go-to source for high-quality furnishings, decor, and antique reproductions through the wholesale division at AFD Home and creating a unique retail experience allowing customers to find and discover handcrafted items from around the globe through World of Decor.

I’ve also spent over 15 years as an auctioneer. I understand pressure. I understand reputation. And I understand that once you’re noticed, expectations rise fast.

That pressure only increased when customers began asking for neon.

 

 

 

Why Neon Was Delayed

 

Customers wanted neon signs built with the same standards as our porcelain.

The first neon sample I made looked like the same mass-produced junk that floods the market—and I hated it. I knew it could be done properly, but not cheaply and not easily.

So I started again. From the ground up.

I sought out master glass benders, enamel workers, and metal craftsmen—people who still practice rare, traditional skills. We combined real porcelain enamel, hand-blown neon glass, and powder-coated steel cans. No factory shortcuts. No mass production. No compromises.

The result exceeded even my own expectations.

Each authentic glass neon sign is handcrafted. No two are ever exactly alike. If you own one, you own a true one-of-one piece—made specifically for you.

 

 

 

Where I Fell Short

 

While I was consumed with production, materials, logistics, and quality, I allowed something critical to slip: communication.

That is on me.

Some customers had trouble reaching us. Some received responses that felt impersonal or dismissive. That should never happen—especially when someone is trusting us with a custom, handcrafted piece.

I failed to provide the oversight necessary during a period of rapid growth, and I take full responsibility for that. When customers feel uncertain, we have failed somewhere along the way.

That reality weighs heavily on me.

 

 

 

Choosing the Harder Path

 

Production delays didn’t come from rumors, competitors, or outside noise. They came from a decision I had to make:

Deliver something that looked right—but wouldn’t last

or

Honor my word and do it the right way

I chose the harder path.

That meant investing nearly everything into proper equipment, safety measures, inspections, crating, and materials. For months, we made no profit at all. But we delivered what we promised.

Every challenge this year has made us better.

 

 

 

What Changes Moving Forward

 

Transparency and availability are now non-negotiable priorities.

We can’t control misinformation or bad actors—but we can remove doubt by being present, responsive, and accountable. That is our commitment going forward.

This is also why we made the difficult decision to temporarily pause new neon orders. Doing so allows us to focus fully on delivering every outstanding piece, strengthening our support team, and ensuring the level of service our customers deserve.

Slowing down costs us momentum and revenue—but integrity matters more.

Why This Business Exists

 

 

 

 

This business exists for one reason:

To make things the way they used to be made—by people who care.

If you’ve placed an order with us, nothing will stop us from delivering it. Every sign ever purchased will be fulfilled. That isn’t a slogan—it’s a promise.

I want my daughters to grow up seeing what it means to keep your word. I want my wife to know she’s married to a man who does the right thing, even when it’s hard.

If you’ve believed in us or stuck with us through growing pains—thank you. Truly.

We’re not going anywhere.

We’re building something better than ever.

— Darrien Eouse

Founder, Porcelain Advertising